First Visit
When & What Is My Child’s First “Regular” Visit?
The first “regular” dental visit should be no later than your child’s first birthday. We will gently examine your child’s teeth and gums. X-rays may be taken (to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child’s permanent teeth under the gums). We may clean your child’s teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. We will make sure your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home. Most important of all, we will review with you how to clean and care for your child’s teeth.
In an effort to improve the chances of your child having a positive experience in our office, we are selective in the use of words. We try to avoid using words that may scare the child due to previous experiences. We ask you to please support us by NOT USING negative words that are often used for dental care. Some examples include :
Do not use:
Needle or Shot
Drill the tooth
Pull the tooth out
Decay, Cavity
Examination
Explorer
Rubber dam
Gas
Child Friendly Choices:
Sleepy Juice
Clean the tooth or catch the sugar bugs
Wiggle the tooth so the tooth fairy can come
Sugar Bug
Counting teeth
Tooth counter or tooth checker
Raincoat
Magic air or ice cream air
This is intended to create a positive experience for your child. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us build an enjoyable atmosphere for your child.